The Illawarra Steelers collected their maiden 2024 Harvey Norman Women’s Premiership after defeating the Newcastle Knights 10-6 in a nail-biting grand final at Commbank Stadium on Sunday.
The Steelers scored two tries to one in the second half to win the title on their second attempt after entering the competition last season.
After a scoreless first half, during which both sides defended stoutly as the play went from end-to-end, the Steelers were the first to score.
Interchange forward Shae Muhleisen chased down a Caitlin Moran cross-field kick before charging to the line to give her side a 4-0 lead two minutes into the second stanza.
Moran’s kicking game troubled the Knights at times in the first half, but they could not capitalise until the No.6 put it on a dime for Muhleisen (pictured).
The arm-wrestle then resumed in the same fashion as the first half, with neither side able to convert several opportunities.
“I thought it was a bit of a scrappy game but I think grand finals tend to be that sort of way,” said Steelers Coach Jamie Szczerbanik post match.
“Nerves and just the emotion of the whole event doesn’t tend to allow you to play your best footy.
“But at the end of the day, with grand finals, whoever wants it the most ends up getting the result and we showed today that we definitely wanted it more than they did.”
[Watch] Post-Match Reaction | Steelers HNWP Coach Jamie Szczerbanik on his belief in the team and their resilience in winning the NSW Women’s Premiership in his first year as Head Coach.
Leah Ollerton finally scored the Knights’ first points in the 56th minute, taking a 6-4 advantage with Jessica Gentle’s conversion adjacent to the uprights. The Knights held on grimly to their lead for the next 10 minutes.
But with the title still there for the taking and four minutes remaining on the clock, Steelers hooker Kaarla Cowan stepped out of dummy half to find a rampaging Bronte Wilson, who crashed over under the posts.
Tayleah Handcock’s conversion gave the Steelers a slender 10-6 lead, which they defended for a frantic final few minutes.
Winger Maria Paseka was a late inclusion after being cleared under HIA protocols. The selection proved a masterstroke, with the flyer picking up the Player of the Match honours with strong carries.
[Watch] Post-Match Reactions | Winger Maria Paseka on her Player of the Match award & prop Brontë Wilson on scoring the winning try in the Steelers 10-6 win over the Knights in the HNWP grand final at CommBank Stadium yesterday.
[Watch] Post-Match Reactions | Centre Indie Bostock and Captain Lily Rogan on their nailbiting 10-6 grand final win over the Newcastle Knights at CommBank Stadium yesterday.